Downstairs socket from upstairs ring main cable drop in cavity wall

[Jamie Price]

Hi everybody, I'm having a hard time trying to find the best way to install cables from the upstairs ring main to a downstairs socket which is already in place, I just need to change the cables for new as adding sockets upstairs. The wall structure is plasterboard then space then insulation then breeze block with wooden struts holding the plasterboard in place. I'm pretty sure the cables were just dropped and hanging free in between the plasterboard wall but if not how do I remove these and replace them? Do I need to remove plasterboard etc? Shouldn't the cable be clipped to the vertical wooden strutt holding the plasterboard not just hanging free? The plasterboard is gyproc will it affect the cables insulation? I heard it can react with the PVC . Many thanks for reading my question s

 

[kingeri]

Hi Jamie, could you tell us exactly what you're trying to achieve, and also whether you are an electrician, apprentice etc?

 

[Pete999]

Hi everybody, I'm having a hard time trying to find the best way to install cables from the upstairs ring main to a downstairs socket which is already in place, I just need to change the cables for new as adding sockets upstairs. The wall structure is plasterboard then space then insulation then breeze block with wooden struts holding the plasterboard in place. I'm pretty sure the cables were just dropped and hanging free in between the plasterboard wall but if not how do I remove these and replace them? Do I need to remove plasterboard etc? Shouldn't the cable be clipped to the vertical wooden strutt holding the plasterboard not just hanging free? The plasterboard is gyproc will it affect the cables insulation? I heard it can react with the PVC . Many thanks for reading my question s

Why exactly do you need to remove the cable? where exactly are you trying to install extra sockets?

 

[Jamie Price]

I'm trying to install 2 new sockets upstairs as we are redoing the floor boards, that's easy to add to the ring main it's this drop to a socket downstairs I wasn't sure about on the same ring main circuit, I don't like the thought of the cable just hanging between the plasterboard and wall as this place was previously wired. How should I install 2 x 2.5 t&e cables from upstairs bedroom ring main to a socket downstairs in the kitchen . The sockets already there I just to replace the cables old for new. I'm an electrical engineer in industrial been doing its since i was 18, I just need advice with domestic installations as it's not something I do often. Thanks

 

[kingeri]

As long as the cable is clipped at the top of the drop, then it's ok to have it unsupported within a stud wall, or in your case between the board and wall. Off the top of my head I think this is permissible up to a 3 or 5m drop (sorry can't remember which right now, and I'm sitting in the car outside the hairdressers waiting for the wife to come out, she's only been in there an hour so far). It is often unavoidable, unless you want to make holes in the boards to clip it (and in your case would you have anything to clip it to?). You could try and push some conduit down if you have the space but it isn't really necessary. It is crucial that the cables are run in safe zones though!

 

[westward10]

So you are replacing existing cables in this cavity for new. What is wrong with the existing ones or am I misreading you.

 

[Jamie Price]

As long as the cable is clipped at the top of the drop, then it's ok to have it unsupported within a stud wall, or in your case between the board and wall. Off the top of my head I think this is permissible up to a 3 or 5m drop (sorry can't remember which right now, and I'm sitting in the car outside the hairdressers waiting for the wife to come out, she's only been in there an hour so far). It is often unavoidable, unless you want to make holes in the boards to clip it (and in your case would you have anything to clip it to?). You could try and push some conduit down if you have the space but it isn't really necessary. It is crucial that the cables are run in safe zones though!

thanks for your answer that is what I was looking for, installing domestic electrics are different from what we deal with in the factory so it's hard to know the practices with different options etc

 

[Jamie Price]

So you are replacing existing cables in this cavity for new. What is wrong with the existing ones or am I misreading you.

I am replacing the old cables between upstairs and socket downstairs because when I went to take a socket out upstairs and add to the ring main I didn't see the cables in the plasterboard wall going downstairs, I assumed both cables in the rafter were going up to the socket I was removing upstairs lol

 

[Wilko]

As long as the cable is clipped at the top of the drop, then it's ok to have it unsupported within a stud wall, or in your case between the board and wall. Off the top of my head I think this is permissible up to a 3 or 5m drop (sorry can't remember which right now, and I'm sitting in the car outside the hairdressers waiting for the wife to come out, she's only been in there an hour so far).

Ah yes, been there before One of those "less said, less to repair" situations, if only I'd known ...
Just looking in OSG App D - up to 5m drop is ok - and give the cable something rounded to hang off to be kind to it.

 

[DPG]

I am replacing the old cables between upstairs and socket downstairs because when I went to take a socket out upstairs and add to the ring main I didn't see the cables in the plasterboard wall going downstairs, I assumed both cables in the rafter were going up to the socket I was removing upstairs lol

It's probaby all sorted now, but I'm confused. There are two ring finals in the house - upstairs and downstairs right? But you are extending the ring to the socket downstairs which was already there. Is it not easier and more sensible to wire it into the ring downstairs?

Apologies if I've misunderstood owt!

Daz